THE INSIDER AUTHORITY ON GATOR SPORTS

RECRUITING: Scoop on this weekend’s visitors

The Florida Gators get an off week after a whirl wind season that has them playing for the national championship. It is no rest for the weary however as the Gator coaching staff and players will be hosting six of the country’s best high school prospects. As usual it is a star-studded affair for the recruit weekend and the Gators hope to put on a show.

With Armando Allen headed to Notre Dame now, the attention of the Gator staff will have to turn elsewhere for a running back. Oakland Park Northeast running back Bo Williams (5-0, 205) could be the next target. He is big and durable and knows how to pound out the tough yards. It appears to be a two team race with Florida State for Williams who could make a decision soon after his visit to Gainesville.

Super athlete Bert Reed could play a variety of positions. Scout.com has him rated as a four-star cornerback but the Gator commitment is the starting quarterback for Panama City Bay. He plans on starting out at receiver at Florida and at 6-0, and 175 pounds with a ton of quickness, he really could play a myriad of positions.

Defensive tackle Will Blackwell (6-4, 290) is not an ultra familiar name among Gator recruiting circles. The West Monroe (LA) four-star lineman doesn’t do many interviews and so he has been somewhat out of sight. He has always been in contact with the Gator staff throughout the process and the word on the street is there is a heightened interest with the Gators doing so well this year and the availability of playing time on the defensive line. Blackwell is also looking hard at LSU and Notre Dame.

Five-star middle linebacker Allen Bailey (6-3, 260) has been very neutral with his recruiting comments. The Darien (GA) McIntosh Academy beast has always maintained a top four of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Miami. The Army All-American is probably the hardest hitter in high school football. The Gators don’t have another big linebacker on the board so Bailey is a priority.

Jacksonville Forrest strong side linebacker Brandon Hicks is another priority for the gators. An exceptional athlete, the four-star backer uses his speed and skill to make plays all over the field for his high school team. Hicks has a list of four schools but has always maintained the Gators and Miami are at the top. Florida would love to seal the deal and end his recruitment this weekend.

James Scott of Daytona Beach Seabreeze may be the most aggressive cornerback in the entire class of 2007. At 5-10 and 165 pounds, Scott is on his man from the snap of the ball and a relentless defender. Scott has a final three of Florida, Ohio State, and LSU and his trip to Gainesville will be his last. He is also an early enrollee and is expected to enroll at the school he chooses in January.

Six big time visitors and five are still open. The Gators only have about seven more spots to fill and would love a clean sweep of this visitor list to make the rest of recruiting a little easier. Check back with Gator Country late Sunday as we catch up with these great athletes and see where they stand after their visit to Florida.

The Florida Gators get an off week after a whirl wind season that has them playing for the national championship. It is no rest for the weary however as the Gator coaching staff and players will be hosting six of the country’s best high school prospects. As usual it is a star-studded affair for the recruit weekend and the Gators hope to put on a show.

With Armando Allen headed to Notre Dame now, the attention of the Gator staff will have to turn elsewhere for a running back. Oakland Park Northeast running back Bo Williams (5-0, 205) could be the next target. He is big and durable and knows how to pound out the tough yards. It appears to be a two team race with Florida State for Williams who could make a decision soon after his visit to Gainesville.

Super athlete Bert Reed could play a variety of positions. Scout.com has him rated as a four-star cornerback but the Gator commitment is the starting quarterback for Panama City Bay. He plans on starting out at receiver at Florida and at 6-0, and 175 pounds with a ton of quickness, he really could play a myriad of positions.

Defensive tackle Will Blackwell (6-4, 290) is not an ultra familiar name among Gator recruiting circles. The West Monroe (LA) four-star lineman doesn’t do many interviews and so he has been somewhat out of sight. He has always been in contact with the Gator staff throughout the process and the word on the street is there is a heightened interest with the Gators doing so well this year and the availability of playing time on the defensive line. Blackwell is also looking hard at LSU and Notre Dame.

Five-star middle linebacker Allen Bailey (6-3, 260) has been very neutral with his recruiting comments. The Darien (GA) McIntosh Academy beast has always maintained a top four of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Miami. The Army All-American is probably the hardest hitter in high school football. The Gators don’t have another big linebacker on the board so Bailey is a priority.

Jacksonville Forrest strong side linebacker Brandon Hicks is another priority for the gators. An exceptional athlete, the four-star backer uses his speed and skill to make plays all over the field for his high school team. Hicks has a list of four schools but has always maintained the Gators and Miami are at the top. Florida would love to seal the deal and end his recruitment this weekend.

James Scott of Daytona Beach Seabreeze may be the most aggressive cornerback in the entire class of 2007. At 5-10 and 165 pounds, Scott is on his man from the snap of the ball and a relentless defender. Scott has a final three of Florida, Ohio State, and LSU and his trip to Gainesville will be his last. He is also an early enrollee and is expected to enroll at the school he chooses in January.

Six big time visitors and five are still open. The Gators only have about seven more spots to fill and would love a clean sweep of this visitor list to make the rest of recruiting a little easier. Check back with Gator Country late Sunday as we catch up with these great athletes and see where they stand after their visit to Florida.